What's up with the prices? (Full Version)

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Nistenf -> What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 1:07:10 AM)

So, I heard about a game, Close Combat, so I decided to try it. I see that is an old series, and that Matrix Games has been making re releases of the old games. So I decide to try the first of the remakes, Cross of Iron. I thought it would be a cheap game, being a remake and 3/4 years old, but it's $160 for the digital edition, and $200 for the boxed (that's 40 and 50 dollars respectively). So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games? Do they ever drop the prices? Would any of you spend 160 on a game?



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 1:14:52 AM)

These are classic antique games haven't you ever been to an antique store or auction? They are worth thousands and you are getting them really cheap. [:)]



2ndACR -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 1:23:03 AM)

Sound like another store oops from Plimus. I don't think I paid anywhere near that long ago when I got it.



hadberz -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 2:02:41 AM)

You missed the Christmas sale, Cross of Iron was on sale for $26.99. They do have other sales every now and then.



Erik Rutins -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 2:45:12 AM)

Nistenf,

Could you post a screenshot of what you are seeing please? Those are definitely not the correct prices!

I just checked the store and the prices there are set correctly and they look fine to me when looking at our store page. I'm very curious how you got this to happen.


Regards,

- Erik



Nistenf -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 2:58:15 AM)

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough, 160 and 200 are in my local currency, as I said in the original post, that's 40 and 50 dollars. Sorry for the misunderstanding!



Erik Rutins -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 3:08:49 AM)

Aha, sorry for my misunderstanding. Yes, the new store converts prices to local currencies on the fly, so if that's equivalent to $40 and $50, then those are the accurate prices.

Regards,

- Erik



bairdlander2 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 3:33:07 PM)

Maybe Matrix could do what ps3 does with all games and call them "greatest hits" and sell them at a reduced price.I think after 4 years the price should go down,not charge the release price.Using the car analogy my vehicle is 5 years old and has only 5000km on it.I paid less then half of the release price of the vehicle.Its used but its like new almost.



Hertston -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 4:21:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games?


The same as everybody else's; whatever they think will maximise the bottom line.

quote:

Do they ever drop the prices?


Usually only for the Christmas sale and the odd 'Blitzkreig' sale on selected games, but ther have been exceptions.

quote:

Would any of you spend 160 on a game?


Depends on the game. All are not created equal.



Scott_WAR -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 4:24:20 PM)

I dont know why Matrix insists on making sure the majority of the older titles are rarely bought. Most companies make a lot of money on their older titles by reducing the price. But hey,...if Matrix is doing so well they dont need to make any extra money off of old titles that wont sell at release price, but would probably sell well at half price., then good for them. At least at this rate they will never get so big, that they stop caring about their customers.....like EA etc.......



Phatguy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 4:28:58 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

So, I heard about a game, Close Combat, so I decided to try it. I see that is an old series, and that Matrix Games has been making re releases of the old games. So I decide to try the first of the remakes, Cross of Iron. I thought it would be a cheap game, being a remake and 3/4 years old, but it's $160 for the digital edition, and $200 for the boxed (that's 40 and 50 dollars respectively). So my question is, what is the pricing policy of Matrix Games? Do they ever drop the prices? Would any of you spend 160 on a game?


In a heartbeat...for the right game like CNA or WiTP(reprinted version)



jwarrenw13 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 4:58:23 PM)

It is really a business decision regarding the older games. The old supply/demand thing. Selling one game for $40 or selling four for $10 brings in the same amount of money. I know there are other considerations Matrix makes, but I am also sure their pricing policy is to set the prices to maximize profits both for the short term and long term. I would imagine their thinking also considers the fact that some of their games can be bought cheaper at other sites, so that is part of the supply/demand thing, too. So there is a balance regarding pleasing the customer and making money and staying in business. A balance? Giving the games away would make customers very happy, but then Matrix would not have much of a future. So they sit down with their bean counters and come up with strategies that try to balance all these factors out.

I'm a little different on my game-buying strategy than a lot of folks, too. I very rarely buy a game new. I wait. And I buy on sale. I bought COTA on sale during the holidays. I've looked at it since it came out and just waited. I really don't worry too much about new game prices since I'm usually not buying new. But I also buy all my Matrix games from Matrix. That's not criticizing anyone who buys them cheaper elsewhere. It is just my decision on how to buy games and how to support the company.



Yogi the Great -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 5:37:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JW

But I also buy all my Matrix games from Matrix. That's not criticizing anyone who buys them cheaper elsewhere. It is just my decision on how to buy games and how to support the company.


Nothing wrong with that, but it sparks my interest on two questions I have. 1) How many people intentionally like to buy direct from the Game Company that makes the product instead of from a cheaper source? 2) Are there any advantages to doing so?

For example: I use to buy HPS games direct from HPS until I discovered I could buy them $10 to $20 cheaper from NWS. Seems to be the same game and I am always able to upgrade them with the new update patches direct through HPS. So I see no advantage to paying the higher price. Recently at a discount store I found AGEOD's American Civil War The Blue and the Gray (also sold by Matrix) for $9.99. From Matrix it is listed for $19.99 download and $29.99 Hard copy. I was able to upgrade the game with the latest patch through AGEOD. So again what advantage other then feeling good about supporting Matrix (which I like to do) is there to the buyer?

Just curious to hear thoughts and reasons from others.



bairdlander2 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 5:45:50 PM)

Matrix is a publisher,print publisher's usually lower prices on older titles,why not Matrix?



wodin -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 6:17:27 PM)

When I read how many people rush out and buy loads of games they probably never even thought about getting when first released during a Steam sale it boggles the mind...thus I honestly feel if the older games had their prices dropped they would make way more money from them....I expect certain games on here barely tick over....shove them out cheap and you will have all and sundry buying them...just look over at The Wargamer and see how many rush out when Steam has a sale on...



Phatguy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 7:20:11 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

Matrix is a publisher,print publisher's usually lower prices on older titles,why not Matrix?


More than likely because this is a niche field and if they generally lowered prices a year or two after release a lot of fence sitters would wait for the cheaper price. This would lead them to slowly implode..

The big dogs can get away because of their huge gaming base. If a third of their demographic holds off till their price drops there wouldnt be as much pain and suffering as if a third of us waited for the big droppoff.......



Lützow -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 7:58:15 PM)

Widening the audience would devastate our hobby on the long haul. I experienced this with (MMO)RPG's back then, when mainstream gamers got lured into this genre and demanded that everything has to be tuned down to a level where they could access it.

I rather pay more for a wargame and keep things as they are. It's not that hardcore players have a wide range of games to choose from anyway.



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 8:21:48 PM)

I think Apathetic Lurker is correct. There's so many games out there now it's really easy to wait until they are much cheaper. Patience is the key nowadays.



ilovestrategy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 8:31:42 PM)

I just wait for a sale. Not by choice, but because I'm married with a family! [:D]



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 8:36:35 PM)

Wait till these gas prices skyrocket to $5 a gallon. I bet games go up then too. I know food will as when it inched over $3.00 a gallon here meat when up .50lb



Nistenf -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 8:41:27 PM)

Patience, of course, I'm not expecting a $5 on release. But this game has 3 or four years, and is a remake of an even older game, but still at release price. I understand that Matrix, not being a super big company can't afford to reduce prices that much, but still, a little could be nice. Nice to know that there're sales



Phatguy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 10:39:18 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

Patience, of course, I'm not expecting a $5 on release. But this game has 3 or four years, and is a remake of an even older game, but still at release price. I understand that Matrix, not being a super big company can't afford to reduce prices that much, but still, a little could be nice. Nice to know that there're sales


Yes the sales are nice but look at it from their standpoint. How many companies out there support their games after 3-4 years? Most of them just shovel them out the door as fast as they can, make as much as they can and throw a few inevitable patches to satiate the masses.Then its off to the next shiney bauble and that inevitable sequel.
I know here that I can play a title for years and have a forum and support. Try that with Silent Hunter V in two to three years.....and I dont mean fan based support..I mean honest to goodness company support....



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/30/2011 10:43:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

Patience, of course, I'm not expecting a $5 on release. But this game has 3 or four years, and is a remake of an even older game, but still at release price. I understand that Matrix, not being a super big company can't afford to reduce prices that much, but still, a little could be nice. Nice to know that there're sales


Yes the sales are nice but look at it from their standpoint. How many companies out there support their games after 3-4 years? Most of them just shovel them out the door as fast as they can, make as much as they can and throw a few inevitable patches to satiate the masses.Then its off to the next shiney bauble and that inevitable sequel.
I know here that I can play a title for years and have a forum and support. Try that with Silent Hunter V in two to three years.....and I dont mean fan based support..I mean honest to goodness company support....


Tell me about Panzer Command:Osfront now? [:)]



Phatguy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 12:10:52 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: diablo1


quote:

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

Patience, of course, I'm not expecting a $5 on release. But this game has 3 or four years, and is a remake of an even older game, but still at release price. I understand that Matrix, not being a super big company can't afford to reduce prices that much, but still, a little could be nice. Nice to know that there're sales


Yes the sales are nice but look at it from their standpoint. How many companies out there support their games after 3-4 years? Most of them just shovel them out the door as fast as they can, make as much as they can and throw a few inevitable patches to satiate the masses.Then its off to the next shiney bauble and that inevitable sequel.
I know here that I can play a title for years and have a forum and support. Try that with Silent Hunter V in two to three years.....and I dont mean fan based support..I mean honest to goodness company support....


Tell me about Panzer Command:Osfront now? [:)]



But for the most part it works here just as I wrote ....I knew there were a few titles but luckily the ones I have picked up have been well supported for as long as my attention span had locked in on that title.That said, I have the attention span of a gnat.....



pmelheck1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 12:17:56 AM)

Most if not all of the "old" games are not re-release as I understand the concept.  These "old" games have been given new life with new scenarios, new graphics, bug fixes ect.  For the most part they are not just dumping old titles on a CD and charging new prices.  The people working hard to make these new versions of these games deserved to be paid for the time they put in improving them.  Some of the close combat releases sold by Matrix were never released by Microsoft.  If you are looking for the old Microsoft version of Close Combat that has not been improved by Matrix you can buy them from Ebay in most cases for only a few dollars.  All re-releases of old titles I've seen Matrix do have been low priced and have been stated as merely re-release as opposed to improved versions in the message boards.



bairdlander2 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 12:33:47 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: diablo1


quote:

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nistenf

Patience, of course, I'm not expecting a $5 on release. But this game has 3 or four years, and is a remake of an even older game, but still at release price. I understand that Matrix, not being a super big company can't afford to reduce prices that much, but still, a little could be nice. Nice to know that there're sales


Yes the sales are nice but look at it from their standpoint. How many companies out there support their games after 3-4 years? Most of them just shovel them out the door as fast as they can, make as much as they can and throw a few inevitable patches to satiate the masses.Then its off to the next shiney bauble and that inevitable sequel.
I know here that I can play a title for years and have a forum and support. Try that with Silent Hunter V in two to three years.....and I dont mean fan based support..I mean honest to goodness company support....


Tell me about Panzer Command:Osfront now? [:)]

Panzer Command:Ostfront from the available screenshots looks almost identical to Kharkov 43 from Graviteam.That title has been reduced by %50 since release.Will PCO be?I hope it has a better UI than K43.I might buy if it does.



pmelheck1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 12:37:33 AM)

When it comes to support Matrix is a publisher.  It is up to the software developer to provide support in the form of patches.  Matrix desires support as much as every one does and they are even more unhappy then users as it destroys their reputation.  Matrix is like your local car dealership.  They rely on the manufacturer to send them the cars.  They are capable of providing support of the SALE but they do not have a production line on the property.  Matrix is a publishing company with some in house development and the in house development support I have seen has been excellent.  Matrix provides a pipeline for small developers to get their titles published which I think is fantastic.  But it can get discouraging when the individual or small company doesn't support a title as fast as we would like.  Matrix I'm sure includes a support clause in their contract with their publishers to try to resolve such issues. 

I've been a fan of Matrix for a while and their have been titles I would have like to have seen faster support, but I try to keep in mind that Matrix may not be the culprit in all cases.



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 1:31:13 AM)

Well the reason I brought up Panzer Command:Osfront is because the actual developer of the origional series jumped ship, quit said goodbye right in the middle of a MAJOR update/patch. So, it's not being supported by the actual origional developers it's being put together by a bunch of fans to the series (a little annoying they can be sometimes when you ask them information but otherwise a great bunch of guys for doing so). So when Apathetic Lurker brought up that support came from the company and not the "fans" I had to bring that game up. Support at Matrixgames appears to be able to come from all kinds of avenues. What sets them apart is they do TRY to fix the games they sell and continue many years intot he future with support and updates and in some cases even free content. Of course they are to be commended for this, but, well that doesn't keep us from still wanting a "bargain" from time to time. Christmas is the usual bargain time and that's when I usually buy. Just some games over 5 years old still at full retail price sort of puts some disbelief that they are still that high. But, if you compare them to Shrapnel and HPS they do the same so oh well you either buy or you don't. [:)]



ilovestrategy -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 4:21:03 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: diablo1

Well the reason I brought up Panzer Command:Osfront is because the actual developer of the origional series jumped ship, quit said goodbye right in the middle of a MAJOR update/patch.



Dang, I never knew that!



diablo1 -> RE: What's up with the prices? (1/31/2011 9:15:49 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy


quote:

ORIGINAL: diablo1

Well the reason I brought up Panzer Command:Osfront is because the actual developer of the origional series jumped ship, quit said goodbye right in the middle of a MAJOR update/patch.



Dang, I never knew that!


My biggest fear is that we'll never see a western front game now with the Panzer Command engine. It took these fans two years to do this patch/update (they still working on it but say it's near soon release). I'm just hoping all that needs to be done for the western front is some new skins made for the allies and drawing up some bocage maps of France and of course the usual research for the numbers for the allied equipment?



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